Non-blocking, free-flowing licorice extract

Abstract

A free-flowing, non-blocking licorice extract is achieved by breaking raw licorice extract into pieces, transferring the pieces of licorice extract to an extruder assembly, processing the licorice extract through said extruder assembly in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile, forcing the licorice extract through a die, cooling the extruded licorice extract to within a predetermined temperature range, severing the extruded licorice extract into pieces of predetermined length and curing the cut pieces for period of time in excess of 12 hours by exposing the cut pieces to moving air.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for processing licorice extract comprising: breaking raw licorice extract into pieces;   transferring the pieces of licorice extract to an extruder assembly;   processing the licorice extract through said extruder assembly in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile;   forcing the licorice extract though a die;   cooling the extruded licorice extract to within a predetermined temperature range;   severing the extruded licorice extract into cut pieces of predetermined length; and   curing the cut pieces for a period of time in excess of 12 hours by exposing the cut pieces to moving air to achieve a free-flowing, non-blocking licorice extract end product.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature profile maintains the licorice extract in the extruder at less than about 80° C. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said die has at least one orifice with a diameter in the range of about 2 mm to about 8 mm. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the licorice extract is extruded into a conditioning chamber where it is cooled to a predetermined temperature below the temperature profile maintained in the extruder apparatus. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the licorice extract is cooled to about 70° C. prior to or at the time of exit through the die. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the licorice extract is cooled after exit through the die on a conditioning belt to a temperature in the range of about 34° C.-41° C. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the means for severing the licorice extract is in the form of a guillotine. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the licorice extract is cured in perforated holding trays in moving, conditioned air. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the licorice extract is cured in said perforated holding trays for a period of time in excess of 5 days. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the licorice extract is cured in said holding trays for period of time between 5 and 7 days. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the licorice extract is cured for period of time in excess of 5 days. 
     
     
       12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the licorice extract is cured for period of time between 5 and 7 days. 
     
     
       13. A method for processing licorice extract into free-flowing form, comprising: breaking raw licorice extract into pieces;   transferring the pieces of licorice extract to an extruder assembly;   processing the licorice extract through said extruder assembly in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile, wherein said predetermined temperature profile does not include temperatures higher than about 80° C.;   cooling the licorice extract in a conditioning chamber to about 70° C. before forcing it through a die;   severing the extruded licorice extract into cut pieces of predetermined length; and   curing the cut pieces for a period of time sufficient to achieve a free-flowing, non-blocking licorice extract end product.   
     
     
       14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the licorice extract is cooled to a temperature of between about 34° C.-41° C. prior to cutting. 
     
     
       15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the licorice extract is cured for a period of time in excess of 5 days. 
     
     
       16. A processed licorice extract extruded in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile comprising, pieces of licorice extract of a predetermined size, which are free-flowing and non-blocking under ambient atmospheric conditions.